Balarama Mystic Incense Baby Powder

Mystic Incense is a Cha Cha Dum Dum brand. The incense sticks are machine extruded with a bamboo stick core, and then wrapped in tin foil. Getting them out of the tin foil is awkward. I had to remove most of the foil, and untie some string before the sticks became loose. I wanted to keep the wrapper intact so I could identify what sticks they were, and retain as much of the foil as possible in order to re-wrap the sticks and keep them fresh. Foil wrapping doesn't appear to me to be a sensible way of packaging incense sticks.

The sticks are highly scented, with volatile perfumes, indicating they have been dipped or soaked in perfume. However, the core paste appears to be more than simply charcoal, which suggests some masala ingredients. On burning there are volatile perfume notes, and an underlying burning herb note - but faint. The dominant aroma is perfume. It's an OK perfume - quite light, pleasant, base notes of sandalwood, rising through bergamont to a soft ladies perfume, like Shalimar.

The woody, musky, sensual aroma is suited to the bedroom or bathroom, or for romantic evenings. It's not appropriate for kitchens or dining rooms, as the perfume notes would intrude with the food aromas. 

Overall quite pleasant, and a decent perfumed incense. 

[Added 2024]: These sticks are made by Balarama of Thailand, who are quite possibly also the source for Kuumba incense.


Date: Sept 2013   Score: 30

***

Cha Cha Dum Dum

 All  Incense Ratings

Foil wrapped incense

Stamford Aromatherapy Collection (Tulasi)

Second review - scroll down for earlier

An intensely perfumed pack - these do smell interesting and pleasant on the stick, even if the mood doesn't generally relate to the one stated on the box; however, on burning, they tend to smell old, oily, smoky, rubbery, and generally not as pleasant as the stick. The best two are Relaxing and Refreshing; the worse two are Sensuality and Meditation.

Date: January 2014   Score: 24

First review

A set (or "gift pack") of six different incense sticks by Stamford - the quality brand for the UK distribution company Aargee. These  were picked up very cheaply as part of a double special offer from buyallmeans shop on Amazon.The sticks are hand-rolled with some masala ingredients, and are also dipped in perfume. They are made by Tulasi  -  (Sarathi International). I bought four of these sets -  the others are Floral, Moods and Exotic. All the packs are intensely perfumed - I have to keep them in the plastic bag they arrived in because the sweet, slightly cloying perfume dominates the room if they are left out. Even though I bought them a little while ago, rummaging in the plastic bag is still an intense experience.

Relaxing
A blend of cardamom, cedarwood and patchouli, intended to soothe away cares, and create a restful home. Quite a lively spicy aroma on the stick - the cardamom coming through clearly. Not sure how relaxing this is. Indeed, not sure how much the aromas relate to the descriptions! The aroma on burning is cedarwood and cardamom, and is pretty decent, creating an awakening mood. Best of the set.
Score: 27

Refreshing
These sticks have a blend of mint, sage and clove aromas, and are designed to revitalize and refresh. The clove aroma is very present on the stick, and that is quite promising. When lit there are notes of burning herbs, licorice, and the clove - though nothing minty. I assume the mint and sage are part of the masala ingredients, and are responsible for the burning herbs notes. It's pleasant enough, and is fairly cleansing, though doesn't gain much attention. Useful to clear a space of negative aromas or as a morning freshener.
Score: 26

Stress Relief
A blend of lavender, orange blossom and thyme, intended to be a restful fragrance and to give the home an instant lift. There's a volatile and tangy perfume on the stick which is underpinned by lavender and thyme. On burning it's mildly smoky with notes of burning herbs and rubber and benzoin. It's a damp, slightly musty, slightly chalky, slightly old smell. Not offensive, and not as unpleasant as it sounds, but it's not much use in the living room or kitchen, and is best used in the dark, unpleasant places of the house.
Score: 22

Energising
A blend of lemon, lime and grapefruit, intended to wake up the mind and ready the body for another day. A bright, lively, lemon aroma on the stick. Oily, smoky aroma on burning. All these sticks have the same message - decent aroma on the stick, which correlates to the stated  ingredients (if not to the aromatherapy intention), but moderately unpleasant when burned. Score: 22

Meditation
A blend of camomile, vanilla and sandalwood, intended to help unwind and open the mind. Pleasant floral aroma on stick - hint of violets and vanilla. On burning smells damp and indifferent. Some vanilla. Not good. Score: 22

Sensuality
A blend of ylang ylang, patchouli, and spicy nutmeg, intended to be relaxing and indulgent. There's some cleansing notes on this - hints of pine, lemon soap, and clove. The aroma on burning is not as clean and inviting - indeed, it's a bit smoky and rubberish, and smells a bit old and stale. Not impressive.
Score: 21


Date: Sept 2013   Average score: 24 

***

Other ratings of incense by Aargee

More Tulasi reviews

Best perfume-dipped incense

Though obvious to me now, it has taken me a few months to discern the major difference between quality incense and lesser incense sticks. Quality incense sticks are rolled from fresh masala ingredients - this is discernible by the powdery finish on the sticks. Standard and cheap incense sticks are hand-rolled or machine dipped charcoal paste onto bamboo sticks (dyed or undyed), which are bought by an incense company who then dip or coat the sticks in a scent which tends to contain synthetic ingredients. Sometimes an incense company may take charge of the whole process from making the sticks to dipping the perfume, but usually the companies who perfume dip, tend to buy in ready made, unscented sticks. 

At their very best - if fresh, top quality and natural ingredients are used, perfumed dipped can be very pleasant, but in general they are not going to make your toes curl, change your mood, or give you a thrill, unlike the top quality masala sticks, which are fresher and more exciting, with both a more subtle and a more exciting and throbbing range of aromas which can truly alter and intensify mood. 

Perfumed dipped sticks are like aerosol room fresheners - they can smell quite nice, but they also smell synthetic and uninspired (and uninspiring). They'll do for covering up bad smells, but not for creating moods. 

Best of the perfume-dipped incense sticks

Sage Spirit Blue Corn Flower: 41/50

Betco Hanuman: 35

HEM Frankincense-Myrrh: 35 

SAC (Sandesh) FrankIncense Myrrh: 33

Sugandha Shringar: 31
Darshan Kanishka: 31
Krishan Dark Chocolate: 30
Betco Saraswathi: 30
Krishan Drakkar Noir: 30
Krishnan Chandan: 30
Aargee Jasmine: 30 
Tree of Life - Shalimar: 30
Mystic Incense Baby Powder: 30

 Incense Ratings - Top of the Dhoops!

The Mother's India Fragrances

The Mother's Fragrances are a brand of incense imported into the UK by Greater Goods, a British company founded in the year 2000, with current headquarters in Midsomer Norton. There are two people involved in the Greater Goods company, which has a turnover of around £1/2 million a year, showing a profit of over £130K (including salaries).

The Mother's Fragrances brand is made by the Mother's Commerce Company in Pondicherry, India, which was established in August 1975 in order to sell incense from the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.  There are several people who are members, as shown in this report from Economic Times, India.  I once wrote that Mere Cie Dieux import and distribute Mothers in USA, Greater Goods do it in UK, Exotic Designers do it in Australia and Japan, Mira do it in Holland, and Fritz do it in Austria. Though I am uncertain today as to where I got that information. 

The ashram's leader, Mirra Alfassa, The Mother, set up incense making in 1949. The aim was for this to be a modest low cost product for their own use. Surplus was sold to visitors, and by 1973 was being exported. The ashram now sell under the Cottage Industries brand name, though originally and for a while it was under the name of the ashram, Sri Aurobindo, and had a shop in Pondicherry. However, when it became a charity, it was not allowed to get directly involved in a commercial enterprise, so set up a separate trust, Sri Aurobindo Ashram Central Sales Organisation, to deal with incense and other sales through their online shop: Sacso-online.com. The Mother's Commerce Company is a Fair  Trade company employing nearly 300 people (mostly women) on above average wages to make high quality incense sticks by hand with 100% natural ingredients.  They also make tapestries under the Mere Cie Deux trade name. 

Other outlets for the incense made in the ashram in Pondicherry and the community in Auroville
are Auroshika, One Aromatics, and Meadows. Though these outlets have sales offices in different places (Auroshika in America, and Greater Goods in the UK, Cottage Industries brand in Pondicherry, etc), the incense is all made in Pondicherry or Auroville. 

The ORS are keen on The Mother's incense. I've been slow to get into this incense because for a while I had a negative reaction to halmaddi, and I was also put off by the price. The combination of a higher than average price, and stinging eyes, did not make me warm to the company.  But my allergic reaction to halmaddi seems to have calmed down, and I'm now starting to engage with The Mother's, and will be reviewing more soon.  Though I am not that enthusiastic regarding the other outlets: Cottage, Auroshika, One Aromatics, and Meadows, so my expectations are not high. 

Reviews

The Mother's India Fragrances Rishi 
Nov 2021 - Score: 39

Shanti Nag Champa
May 2015 - Score: 32*

Sattva
Aug 2017 - Score: 32*

  

The Mother's India Fragrances Oudh

Jan 2024 - Score: 28 

Incense reviewed: 4 
Highest score: 39

Lowest score: 32

Average: 33

***

Own brand distributors

Halmaddi

Pallava Images

Hex pack of 20 perfumed dipped sticks bought from Indiabazaar for 47p.

Standard cheap incense sticks. Blank hand-rolled charcoal paste onto undyed bamboo sticks, bought by an incense company - in this case one called Pallava Agarbathi Products of Bangalore - who then dip the sticks into a scent. This scent is pleasant enough, and certainly cheap enough.

To be fair, perfumed dipped incense sticks are in a different class to masala incense sticks. At their very best, perfumed dipped can be very pleasant, but they are not going to make your toes curl, change your mood, or give you a thrill. The top quality incense sticks are masala sticks. They are fresher and more exciting, with both a more subtle and a more exciting and throbbing range of aromas which can truly alter and intensify mood.

Perfumed dipped sticks are like aerosol room fresheners - they can smell quite nice, but they also smell synthetic and uninspired (and uninspiring). They'll do for covering up bad smells, but not for creating moods.

Score: 25

***

Top Ten 
Perfume-Dipped Incense

 Top Of The Dhoops

Darshan Sandal Incense Cones

Large perfume dipped cones. Volatile aroma notes on the cones, slightly muddled musty/musky notes on burning. Not a clean, fragrant sandalwood.  Bought for 80p from Incense Essentials, so an attractive price - shame the cones are not as attractive! Fair do though, the aroma is not ugly, just not top quality. The cones do produce a lot of fragrant and reasonably pleasant smoke - but there is just too much of a stale, synthetic perfume feel about the aroma to make it a fully enjoyable experience. Useful for clearing up nasty smells in the toilet, or stale fish in the kitchen.

The cones are made by Darshan International of Bangalore who claim they have been in existence for five decades, while being founded in both 1987 and 2000.

Date: Sept 2013   Score: 24

***

Sandalwood

Darshan Incense

Wild Berry

Wild Berry incense are an American incense company that is starting to make an appearance in the UK. The company started as a shop in Ohio in 1971 selling a range of hand made goods, but it was the incense that was attracting attention, so in 1992 the company worked out a marketing deal that spread it across America, and now to other countries around the world. The company produces a vast and ever increasing range of fragrances with names such as Candy Cane, Baking Brownies, Misty Mountain, and Pounding Surf. The sticks are sold loose from jars with no way of identifying which scent you have  bought, other than the vague colour dye on the sticks. Personally I like a bit of packaging, and some way of identifying the scent I have bought so I can buy it again if I like it., but there you go... 

These sticks are likely made in Thailand - possibly by Balarama Enterprises. 

Wild Berry website:  wild-berry.com

Reviews

Wild Berry sticks

I bought a mix pack of five from eBay for £1.50, which is a little expensive. I know there's a junk shop in my High Street (Rochester) which also sells them, so I might have got them cheaper there. Except, the junk shop really is a junk shop - it's rather smelly and scruffy, and run by odd people, so going in there isn't a pleasant experience.

The sticks are very long, with a longer than average handle area. I find such long handles a bit of a nuisance, as I have a dragon incense burner, and long sticks tend to both droop, and extend beyond the ash carrier, so I have to break off at least half of the handle. The sticks tend to smell of apple and cinnamon - there are other aroma notes as well: toffee, honey, spiced fruit, polish, etc - but the signature aroma is apple and cinnamon. There is a muddy brown masala fragrance powder mix on a charcoal base, and it looks as though the stick has then been dipped in a fragrance oil.

The company claim that the burning aroma is the same as the stick aroma, but I'm not finding that to be the case. On the stick the aroma feels mainly natural - though with furniture polish notes that hint at synthetic perfume. When burned, synthetic notes come to the fore, and the smell is like stale cheap perfume and aerosol room freshener. I burned all five with little significant difference between the aromas when they were burned. They are not top quality, and are not for me, but I'm pleased I tried them.

Date: Sept 2013   Score: 20

Wild Berry Shorties
Fairy Dust 
Score: 23 

  

Wild Berry 

Champa Flower cones 

Score: 23 

Wild Berry
Fizzy Pop incense cones
Score: 17

Wild Berry
Dragon's Blood cones 
Score: 15

Reviews: 5 

High score: 23 

Low score: 15  

Average:  20 

Conclusion: Similar to Juicy Jay's - own brand perfumed incense that smells good on the sticks, but doesn't burn well. 

***

Own Brand / Private Label

Incense by Country

Fruit Fragrances
That'll Make You Drool

Aargee Imperial Bharat Mata Bouquet Fragrance (discontinued)

Second review - scroll down for earlier

It's been well over three years since I reviewed this incense, and though I have burned it now and again over those years, I haven't sat down to think about it and consider if I still like it, and if I find it as I did back in September of that year.  I do like this. It is familiar and comforting with warm, sensual tones that gently inform and enliven a room. There's sandalwood, but also rich cedar, and there's also the warm, moist wool tones of the halmaddi with its occasional prickles and sharp notes. This is elegant, refined, cultured, and very familiar, and gives a relaxing and remeasuring mood to the home.  This is an incense that would support you in moments of doubt or hesitation. It's an incense that would generate an atmosphere of trust. It's very good indeed.

Date: March 2017   Score:  40

First review

These Aargee commissioned incense sticks are part of their Imperial range which uses halmaddi - a sticky and fragranced resin from the Ailanthus triphysa tree, which is commonly used in Nag Champa incense, though there is some degree of uncertainty as to how much it contributes to the overall aroma. The resin is used instead of jigat or makko powder as a binding agent to hold together the sandalwood and charcoal powder which forms the combustible base of the incense. Some incense enthusiasts, such as those writing for the Olfactory Rescue Service blog, feel that the finest incense is made with halmaddi, and that recent batches of Nag Champa have declined in quality due to possible changes in recipe that may have exchanged halmaddi for makki powder. I bought these for £1.30 for 15g (approx 11 sticks) from Incense Essentials, so these halmaddi incense sticks are reasonably priced. These have been hand-rolled with a masala blend of herbs, spices and other fragrant ingredients. The surface is powdery with a sandalwood colour, and when scratched will reveal the charcoal base beneath. The bamboo stick has been dyed pink, giving an overall very pleasing appearance. The scent is well perfumed - hints of fresh pine sawdust, beeswax polish; nicely balanced between sweet and musky.

On burning, it's the sandalwood that makes the biggest initial impression. And then some church incense notes come through - a blend of frankincense and myrrh. The packet says that this is a "bouquet fragrance", and for that I would expect some flowery notes, though the only ones I am detecting are more woody flowers, (such as champa frangipani) or nag champa (champaca).

This is an overall very decent, sandalwood accented incense, though I am not being carried away by it. There's a little too much dryness to it, and some herbal harshness. If the claims of halmaddi are to be true, I would have expected this to smell more moist and inviting. Having said that, while not being one of my very top incenses, it is one I am enjoying very much, and it will get a high score.

Bharat Mata, 
the Indian version of Britannia

The name, Bharat Mata, is the Indian version of  Britannia - she is the goddess personification of Mother India. She is often depicted, as on the picture on the packet, with a flag and a lion. Other than Bharat Mata's image, the packet is fairly plain - the rest of it being composed of information about the incense. The Imperial range recipes have been made by the same family of incense blenders for over sixty years. After rolling, the incense sticks are left out to dry naturally in the early morning sunshine. Sounds very evocative. I wonder who the family are?

Date: Sept 2013   Score: 39

***

Vintage Incense
(Incense no longer available)

Other ratings of incense by Aargee

Halmaddi

Harmony Incense: Musk / Heritage

Bought from my local corner supermarket for a £1. These are perfumed dipped sticks, but quite pleasantly perfumed, with few off notes. It's a poor quality hex box, with no supporting box inside. Poorly designed and printed. So I wasn't expecting much, and was quite pleased that the perfume is acceptable.  These are not sticks I'd buy again, but I didn't find them offensive.

They are made in India by the Swaminarayan organisation, and are imported into the UK by Mukti, a tea importing company.

Musk
The least attractive of the two I bought. As with a number of perfumed dipped incenses the aroma is pleasant at first, but starts to reveal its weakness after a while, This is a little sharp with aerosol room freshener and shoe polish notes. There are no musk notes. Quite perfumey in a cheap way. Not unpleasant or offensive in small doses, but not an incense I would buy again.
Score: 21

Heritage
This is reasonably pleasant with a musky base and suggestions of sandalwood. Not hugely different from the Musk, but deeper, and more pleasant.
Score: 25

Overall Score: 23

***

Musk

 Top of The Dhoops! Best Incense List

Top Ten 
Perfume-Dipped Incense